FORMER DRUG TASK FORCE OFFICER GETS 15 YEARS

A former Maverick County District Attorney investigator who was a member of
the DEA drug task force was sentenced to 15 years in prison for shooting an
undocumented Mexican national two years ago.

Former Webb County assistant District Attorney Monica Notzon and present
Webb County Assistant Prosecutor O.J. Hale Jr. were named special
prosecutors in the case of former deputy Wilbur Honeycutt.

Honeycutt was indicted on aggravated assault and deadly conduct charges
after he shot and wounded Abecnego Monje Ortiz when the Mexican national
attempted to cross into the U.S.

The defendant shot the victim while he and others were running away from him.

Monje Ortiz remains paralyzed and in a wheelchair as a result of the shooting.

The FBI investigated the incident, which resulted in Honeycutt's indictment.

The defendant opted to plead guilty last month, moments before a jury was
set to begin hearing testimony in the case.

In her closing arguments during the sentencing phase, Notzon told District
Judge Amado Abascal that "everyone in this country has rights, regardless
of your immigration status."

"We need to send a message that everyone has rights, even those who may be
here illegally, and that if you commit a crime against them you will be
prosecuted equally. This court's ruling will be heard not only locally but
across the state, nation and even internationally," Notzon said.

In arguing his case, Honeycutt's defense attorneys claimed that their
client lacked proper training in weapons handling, which led to the
unfortunate incident.

Honeycutt was asking the court for a probated sentence.

In his rebuttal, Hale told Judge Abascal that Honeycutt was not taking
responsibilities for his actions, and shifting the blame on the federal
government.

The defendant exhibited questionable actions after the shooting after he
left the victim in the dark to die, and finally came back some two hours
later, said Hale.

"The victim has placed his faith in the court and in the justice system. We
cannot disappoint him. As advocates of the State of Texas we are asking for
a stiff penalty because justice and the evidence demands it," Hale told the
court.

The state's testimony included that of the victim and federal and state
investigators.